Although Bryn Mawr continues to develop new environmental initiatives to match the issues of the time, one project dates back to 1987 when the Student Governance Association allocated $10.00 to the Paper Recycling Project.  The project started small many years ago, but has grown into a single-stream recycling program that Bryn Mawr’s Recycling Committee now supports.  For community members, this means that almost any paper, boxboard, cardboard, plastic, glass, or metal material can be recycled in the same bin.  An off-sight organization sorts and separates the materials before recycling them, so community members no longer need to worry about which bin to put their recyclables in; they can easily recycle all of their items!

In the dorms, members from the Recycling Committee post signs above each recycling bin as a reminder of what can and cannot be recycled.  With the except for food waste containers and cans that still contain their liquid, many items found in the dorm can be recycled.  The off-sight organization does such a thorough job of sorting that the Recycling Committee asks students, “If you are unsure about an item, recycle it this time.  Look it up for next time!”  Students can look up this information at http://sustainability.blogs.brynmawr.edu/operational-efforts/recycling-resource-conservation/ or by asking the Recycling Representative in their dorm.

Photo of Recycling Poster in Rhoads Dormitory.

In addition to the single-stream program, the Recycling Committee also maintains a special recycling campaign.  Since electronics cannot be recycled through single-stream, there is a red bin in each dorm designated for electronics; anything from cellphones to calculators can be recycled in this bin.  Recycling Representatives usually collect items from these bins once or twice a semester.  Students and community members can also drop off light bulbs, rechargeable batteries, aerosol cans, and ink cartridges to the Ward Building for special recycling.

In addition to the more traditional forms of recycling, Bryn Mawr also offers a light bulb exchange in the dorms.  If a personal light bulb burns out during the semester, the Recycling Representative in the dorm will exchange your light bulb, free of charge, for an LED or fluorescent bulb.  There are also “Free Boxes” on each hall where students can place items that they no longer use and other students may take them for their personal use.  These non-perishable items range from magazines to clothes, and at the end of the academic year, whatever has not been taken from the boxes is sold at a yard sale for charity or donated.

As recycling becomes a larger effort on campus, and the Recycling Committee transitions to the Green Ambassadors, make sure to keep your eyes open for new signage and projects!